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Ilkay Gundogan bids farewell to Barcelona fans on social media, as he lays bare the reason the Catalan giants let him leave the club to return to Man City after just one season

Related Topics: Ilkay Gündogan

Ilkay Gundogan said his goodbyes to Barcelona fans on social media after leaving the club just one year after his arrival.

The 33-year-old made 51 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana last season and still had two years remaining on his deal with the Catalan club.

However ahead of the 2024-25 campaign new boss Hansi Flick informed the veteran midfielder that he could not guarantee Gundogan a starting place in his side.

This, coupled with the club's well-publicised financial troubles in recent years led to Barcelona being willing to allow him to leave on a free in order to free up funds from his reportedly £17m-a-year wages.